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Urban Planning & Design
VISION AND PRINCIPLES
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In shaping a dynamic, distinctive and delightful city, we consider the following key elements. They help to
guide developments and enhance the quality and character of our built environment.
Urban Pattern:
Our city has different districts which are structured by different urban patterns, giving each area a distinctive
local character.
For example, the Orchard Road and the Singapore River areas are developed along commercial spines, with
shops and businesses lined along the streets and river. However, Marina Bay is structured on a grid which is
an extension of the existing CBD grid pattern. Developments will be developed in a grid, punctuated by parks
and open spaces. This provides a simpler structure for people to navigate the streets, and flexibility to
accommodate developments of various scales.
Urban Pattern of Singapores City Centre
Building form:
Variation in building height, volume, and the way in which buildings are grouped together, are examples of
how building form contributes to the unique character of specific areas. Building forms are guided by specific
uses of buildings. As they have an impact on the streetscape, it is important that their forms respond to their
surroundings.
For example, developments along Orchard Road, however, have shopping podiums with high-rise towers set
further away from the road.This gives a sense of openness to the tree-lined pedestrian mall, that has become
a signature feature of Orchard Road. Buildings in the CBD were historically built tall and to the full site
coverage, reflecting the need to optimise the land to maximise its value. Hence, current UD guidelines guide
development to be contextual to the existing urban forms.
Key Urban Design Elements
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Open Spaces :
Open spaces can be grand central plazas and squares, or small, lush pocket parks. They can also be
soothing sanctuaries amid the urban hurly-burly or packed with people. Parks like Gardens by the Bay and
the plaza in front of Cathay Building and School of the Arts (SOTA) provide respite in our high-rise city
environment. You get to soak in the sun, enjoy the lush greenery and to interact with fellow city dwellers at
these open spaces. These open spaces also act as landmarks and unique setting for events and celebrations.
Pedestrian network:
Well-connected pedestrian networks to allow people to move easily and comfortably within the city, and
facilitate the use of public transportation. It connects open spaces, points of interest and parks, and can be at
different levels, allowing you to appreciate the city from different perspectives.
Walking to the Esplanade from City Hall MRT takes only about 15 minutes via the City Link underground
pedestrian network. The link-way is also lined with shopping and dining options.
Other pedestrian networks include pedestrian malls, promenades, covered walkways and link-ways, through-
block links and overhead linkages.
Vehicular access:
The location of car parks and drop-off points affect the way vehicles navigate their way around the city. It
also influences how pedestrians experience the city. It is important to separate pedestrians from vehicular
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traffic to avoid causing danger and conflict to pedestrians.
For example, the drop-off point at Mandarin Gallery used to be located in front of the buildings along the
main Orchard Road pedestrian mall. This mix of vehicular and pedestrian traffic was not ideal, and caused
disruptions to pedestrians. After Mandarin Gallery was refurbished , the drop-off point was relocated to the
side, along Orchard Link. This opened up the front of the development for activity generating uses and also
provides pedestrians with a safer and more pleasant environment.
Streetscape:
Streets can make our interaction with our city richer and memorable. The character of the street is
contributed by active uses at the street level including signage, lighting, landscaping, building form and
architecture.
For example, the experience of walking along the Singapore River is designed to respond to the river and to
play up its attributes. Buildings are located away from the river to provide a wide promenade next to the river
for pedestrians. The front sections of new buildings cannot be higher than 4 storeys, to complement the
existing conserved buildings and also preserve a sense of openness, preventing visitors from feeling dwarved
by looming buildings along the river. Alfresco dining and landscaping along the river promenade also adds to
the riverine ambience.

4-storey and 10-storey developments fronting Singapore River
Roofscape:
Roofs are literally the crowning glory of buildings. A good roof design enhances the building form, contributes
to the skyline, and reinforces the character of a district.
Looking over the Singapore River district, you will see that conserved shophouses and newer developments
both feature pitched roofs and clay tiles of a distinctive terracotta colour, making a coherent skyline. In
addition, roofs can also be turned into active usable spaces, like the skypark at Marina Bay Sands which also
offers attractive panoramic views of the city.
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Night Lighting:
Night lighting extends the life of the city, beyond twilight and sunset. It also enhances the character of a place
and experience of the city at night.
Through our Night Lighting Master Plan, we encourage building owners in the CBD, Marina Bay and Marina
Centre areas, whose buildings contribute to our signature skyline, to incorporate lighting to key building
elements such as building crowns, sky gardens, building facades, and covered walkways so that a unquie
three-dimensional skyline can be appreciated at night.
Guidelines on the colour temperature of the lighting are intended to reflect use and height of the building.
Illuminated skyline around Marina Bay
Greenery:
As a tropical City in a Garden, greenery plays an important role in our urban design, and developments are
encouraged to provide greenery (on the ground or skyrise) in the city. For example, the sky terraces at
Parkroyal Hotel at Pickering Street allow hotel guests to enjoy greenery at new heights.
Other than its environmental benefitshelping to clean the air and mitigating the urban heat island effect
greenery can help shape the streetscape, reinforce the character of a place, and make the public spaces
more comfortable by providing shade.
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Last updated on: 10 Jun 2014
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Sky terraces at Parkroyal Hotel at Pickering Street


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SHAPING A DISTINCTIVE,
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